Plans to convert buildings at a farm near Leek into a farm shop and drive-thru ice cream parlour have been given the thumbs down by the council.

Longshaw Farm in Bradnop applied to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for permission to create a farm shop, including a new access from the A523, as well as a parking area and even a drive-thru ice cream parlour.

A planning statement prepared on behalf of the application explained that the farm has over 400 dairy cows, which could be used to make ice cream and other products in the farm shop.

The applicants felt that this would create jobs, contribute to the local economy and tourism, and enable the farm to diversify its services in the wake of Brexit.

However, the council's planning officers have turned the plans down, feeling the development would intrude on the rural character of the local landscape, and would not represent a diversification of the farm's business as it already has the facilities to process milk.

A statement by the council's officers concluded: "The proposal would not represent diversification of a farm business given that facilities for raw milk processing are not available on site and as such would be indistinguishable from any retail food outlet with a drive-through serving facility.

"The proposal would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area nor does it comply with the development plan and therefore does not comprise sustainable development."